Catherine Kee

. Catherine was born and raised in Hoboken, N.J., the daughter of Patrick and Hanna (Sullivan) Callahan. She worked as a secretary/receptionist for many years, lastly for National Starch and Chemical Corp. in Bridgewater, N.J. Catherine moved to Worcester in 1988 and to Paxton in 2009. In retirement, she volunteered in the gift shop at UMass Memorial Hospital for several years and was a member of Christ the King Church in Worcester.

A daughter of Irish immigrants, Catherine was proud of her heritage and engaged everyone with smiling eyes and lively wit. She gave to her family and friends a love deeply rooted in her abiding faith. Always a source of joy and vitality within her family, she was devastated by the sudden death of her husband just as they were beginning retirement. After a period of mourning, she was renewed in spirit and moved to Massachusetts to spend many vital years with her family. They will always smile when they remember her in her New York Yankees cap. Even after 24 years in Massachusetts, she remained a devoted Yankees fan, and she wanted Red Sox fans to know that.Her husband of 36 years, William A. Kee, died in 1985. Catherine leaves her son, James Kee and his wife Joanne of Paxton; two grandchildren, Cathleen Kee of Paxton, and William Kee and his wife Rebecca of San Francisco; and one great-grandson, James Kee.The funeral will be held in New Jersey. Memorial donations may be made to the Nativity School of Worcester, 67 Lincoln St., Worcester, MA 01605. Miles Funeral Home, Holden, is directing arrangements. (milesfuneralhome.com